Each year we have limited the number of disposable cups on the course by insisting that runners carry at least one water bottle over the 50k distance. Still, to provide runners with a gulp of EFS drink, or cola we have had to have some cups on the course. This year there will not be any cups.

Instead, we have joined with UltrAspire to provide each runner with a reusable cup. This cup will be given to you when you pick up your bib number. If you want anything to drink outside of what you would like to put in your water bottle, then you will need to carry your own cup.

This thing is awesome! UltrAspire has provided the cups to the race at a discounted price (retail is $6.50). Runner Girl Races paid for them, this is not an added cost to you. They are a phthalate free, BPA free and PVC free 6oz cup that racers can carry for their aid station drinking needs. Completely foldable to stick in a small shorts pocket, and also are equipped with a loop to clip on somewhere with a carabiner or cord.

Hopefully most of you will be psyched with this option. I assume there will be some racers unhappy with breaking the tradition of the aid station tables lined with pre-filled cups of cola and electrolyte drink, but think of the reduced waste! If you use a disposable cup at each of our five aid stations and say half of the field also does the same thing that is 1,000 (400 field size /2 = 200 runners x 5 aid stations) cups going straight in the garbage. Even if recycled it is still added waste. Now each of you will have your own cup to carry not only at the Chuckanut 50k, but to every race you attend. Start a new trend! It is a small way, but a great step towards reducing your waste.